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The Nerf Super Soaker Lightningstorm is the largest of the new Nerf Super Soaker models released for 2012 by Hasbro Inc. It features a detachable shield, stock, and large water drum, but relies on its battery-powered motor for pumping akin to the 2011 Nerf Super Soaker Thunderstorm. In fact, extra water capacity aside, once the added accessories are removed from the base water blaster, the Nerf Super Soaker Lightningstorm is more-or-less identical to the 2011 Nerf Super Soaker Thunderstorm. As such, while it may be "Super Soaker" branded, its performance leaves much to be desired even for a motorized blaster.

The Blaster ::

Full Water Blaster versus Base System ::

The fully assembled Nerf Super Soaker Lightningstorm looks impressive and somewhat intimidating with its large drum-shaped magazine, shield, and shoulder stock. However, once all the accessories are removed, the base blaster appears to be that of a 2011 Nerf Super Soaker Thunderstorm. The primary visual difference between the Nerf Super Soaker Lightning Storm and its older brother is an inversion of colours used with this model featuring a darker-blue body and grip base with a white trigger-grip area as opposed to the 2011 Nerf Super Soaker Thunderstorm's white body and grip base with a dark-blue trigger-grip area. This finding makes the Nerf Super Soaker Lightningstorm more akin to a re-release of the 2011 Nerf Super Soaker Thunderstorm, but with more accessories.

Nozzle ::

The Nerf Super Soaker Lightningstorm features rather small nozzle opening on par with that of the 2011 Nerf Super Soaker Thunderstorm. Like its older brother, the Nerf Super Soaker Lightningstorm requires batteries to drive its pump; streams produced are constant, but lacking in potency. Addtional testing to be done, but as the base blaster does indeed match that of the 2011 Nerf Super Soaker Thunderstorm, no significant performance differences are expected.

Pump ::

As already noted, the Nerf Super Soaker Lightningstorm uses a motorized pump. Since the base blaster matches, the motor is probably of the same make as the 2011 Nerf Super Soaker Thunderstorm, but whether there are any differences remains to be explored. As expected, the motor is powered by 4 AA batteries and activated simply by pulling the trigger; there is no on/off switch on the blaster, itself. When activated, the pump is somewhat noisy and would definitely blow one's cover if one were previously hidden.

The pump is completely enclosed in the blaster's body and the battery chamber is sealed with a rubber gasket. While better sealed than the smaller Nerf Super Soaker Electrostorm, it is still not recommendable to fully submerge this blaster.

Triggers / Grip ::

The trigger and grip area on the Nerf Super Soaker Lightningstorm, like the rest of the blaster, is well moulded and very comfortable to hold. It appears that Hasbro Inc. continues to make quality triggers and grips for the entire 2012 Nerf Super Soaker line. There also appears to be a place where a strap could be tethered through, though the blaster does not come with a strap.

Like the 2011 Nerf Super Soaker Thunderstorm, the Nerf Super Soaker Lightningstorm features a tactical rail and comes with a detachable shield and shoulder stock. Combined together with the large, detachable water drum, the profile of the Nerf Super Soaker Lightningstorm looks quite impressive. It is unfortunate that there is no notable corresponding increase in water blasting performance.

Accessories ::

Beyond its water drum, the Nerf Super Soaker Lightningstorm comes with a detachable shield and shoulder stock.

The shield mounts to the top of the base blaster using the tactical rail. It adds on significant width to the blaster, but its overall size does not offer much protection to the user. While nicely transparent, one cannot really adequately hide behind it while counter-attacking. At best, it may help keep one's firing arm a little drier or momentailry intimidate a novice opponent.

The shoulder stock also adds to the Nerf Super Soaker Lightningstorm's look when attached. Nearly doubling the overall length of this blaster, the primary benefit of attaching the shoulder stock is it serving as a counterbalance to the loaded water drum. The blaster's pump, however, does not result in any notable kickback so there is no true need for a shoulder-stabilization device.

Both the shield and the shoulder stock are compatible with other Nerf blasters that have a tactical rail and the rear-side stock-mounting point. Both accessories feel well-built, attach securely, and add to the role-playing element when using this water blaster, but neither particularly add to better overall performance.

Overall ::

As a whole, the Nerf Super Soaker Lightningstorm is a well-built, nicely-styled water blaster, but lacking in power and capacity. Its usefulness in the water warfare field is limited by its lower range and output. It is basically a Nerf Super Soaker Thunderstorm with improved capacity and additional accessories, but no notable increase in performance, meaning one ends up with a large, more intimidating blaster, but no increase of power to match the looks. The ability to add on accessories is a nice, novelty feature, but beyond added capacity, these accessories do not add to its performance and have limited practical value. Be wary if facing off against any true pressurized water blaster or any piston blaster of similar size or larger.

Pros

Cons

Not a truly "new" model; basically a Nerf Super Soaker Thunderstorm with added accessories. Output and range particularly low for a blaster of this size (i.e. the size of the fully assembled blaster). Motor is noisy when activated. Requires 4AA batteries to work. Shield does not offer significant protection.